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Rabbi Menachem
Mendel of Rymanov
Born:
Neustadt, 1755
Died: Rymanov (Poland), 1815
Rabbi Menachem Mendel was one of the pivotal figures in the Chassidic world.
He was introduced to the new movement at 11 years
of age when he met the
great Maggid
of Mezritch. As a young man he studied Torah and Chassidut under
the illustrious Rabbi
Shmelke of Nikolsburg, together with two of his friends -
two other future chassidic masters, the Chozeh
of Lublin and the Maggid
of
Koznitz.
Before entering the Beit Midrash of Rabbi Shmelke he was an accomplished
talmudist and halachist, having gained a vast range
of knowledge in the code of the Rif
(Rabbi Yitzchak al-Fasi, 1013-1103). According to the tzaddikim of
his
time, R' Menachem Mendel was a spark of soul of the Rif, who also appeared
to R' Menachem from time to time. It happened once that R' Menachem Mendel
begged before God
to help him attain a higher spiritual level, and in a
dream the Rif instructed him to go to Lizensk to Rabbi
Elimelech, where he will merit his
spiritual desire.
In Lizensk R' Menachem Mendel was held in high regard for his extraordinary
owe of God,
which found expression in the burning passion with which he prayed.
Upon Rabbi Elimelech's death a large number of his chassidim became
followers
of R' Menachem Mendel, who settled in Pristik and later moved to Rymanov.
His reputation as a kadosh and a baal mofet - a saintly personage
and a miracle-worker attracted thousands of
followers. At the same time he
suffered
a great deal from the invective and slurs of mitnagdim (the Jews who
were opponents of Chassidism), who maligned him
with the government. Among his disciples
were such outstanding Chassidic leaders as Rabbi
Naftali of
Ropshitz and Rabbi
Tzvi Elimelech of Dinov.
He saw in the emergence of Napoleon a portent for the advent of the final
redemption, and he prayed for his victory.
For 22 years R' Menachem Mendel discussed the secrets of the Man (Manna-heavenly
bread in the desert), and by doing so, he was drawing abundance
to the entire world.
His thoughts, sermons and discourses were published under the titles Divrei
Menachem, Menachem Tzion, and Be'erot
HaMayin.
R' Menachem Mendel passed away on the same year (5675) as the Chozeh of
Lublin and
the Maggid of Koznitz.
In
the King's Service
It
happened once that the Apter, the Rymanover, and the Chozeh of Lublin were
staying in Lanzut, the Chozeh's residence before he
moved to Lublin. Evil persons denounced them
to the government, and the three rebbes were arrested and
imprisoned. It was decided among them that Rabbi Menachem Mendel, who had
a
good command of the German Language, should be their spokesman at the trial
hearing.
The
judge asked, "What is your occupation?"
"I am in service of the king," the Rymanover replied.
"What king?"
"The King of kings."
"And what brings you two strangers [the Apter and the Rymanover] to
Lanzut?"
"We came to learn from this man [the Chozeh] how to serve the King
more zealously"
"And why are you wearing white garments?"
"That is the color of our professional attire."
The judge pronounced his verdict: "We will have nothing to do with
such people.
Case dismissed!"
May the merit of the tzaddik Rabbi
Menachem Mendel of Rymanov protect
us all, Amen.
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